Lap writing desk or portfolio



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. HOOD.

LAP WRITING DESK 0R PORTFOLIO.- I No. 348,124. Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

N. PETERS. Phnlouxmnphcn waning n. u. c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheef2.

G. HOOD.

LAP WRITING DESK 0R PORTFOLIO. No. 348,124. Patented Aug. 24, 1886.

Nv PETERS. PhelwL-flhugnphar, Washingtan. D- C UNITED STATES PATENT Y FFICE.

GUSTAVE HOOD, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SAMUEL l.

\ KNIGHT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LAP WRITING-DESK OR PORTFOLIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,124, dated August 24, 1886.

Application filed May 18, 1886.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAVE HOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lap WVriting-Desks or Portfolios, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to a lap writing-desk or portfolio, which is especially adapted for the use of travelers and others who desire to have a supply of writing materials in a convenient and portable form. The desk or port folio constructed according to the present invention is so arranged that when not in use it can be folded into very compact form,so as to inclose and protect the contents, and that when opened out for use it can readily be supported in the lap of the user, and thus afford a convenient means for writing when atable or desk is not available.

As a full understanding of the invention can only be imparted by an illustration and a full description of a writing-desk or portfolio containing the same, all preliminary description will be omitted and a full description given, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a writingdesk or portfolio constructed according to the present invention, it being shown as fully opened, so as to expose the whole contents. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the desk closed and fastened, so as to inclose and protect the contents. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the desk when in condition for use. Fig. 4is a cross-section of the desk, showing the principal parts in the same position as in Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the parts in the same position as in Fig. 2.

' In Figs. 4 and 5 the paper and envelopes shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are omitted,in order to more clearly show the construction of the desk.

Referring to said drawings, it is to be understood that the base or body A of the desk is made of wood or some similar light rigid material. This base is provided at one end with a raised portion, B, which extends across the base, and in which is formed a small covinto several compartments, as shown.

Serial No. 202,590. (No model.)

for melting the sealing-wax, and is provided with a cover, 12, which is hinged upon small pins or trunnions extending from the end walls of the box and entering the ends of the cover.

TheinkstandGis of any suitableconstruction, and is provided with a cover or covers, which is or are held closed by a spring catch or catches, so as to prevent the ink from being spilled in handling the desk. The inkstand is removable from its seat; but any suitable form of spring-catch or locking device may be provided, by which the inkstand will be prevent; ed from falling out of its scat.

To one side of the base A there is hinged a leaf, D, which covers the portion of the base not occupied by the raised portion B. The upper side of this leaf is provided with corner loops, 13, which receive the corners of a sheet of blotting-paper, d, and serve to hold it onto the leafD, and thus provide a soft surface for the paper to rest upon during writing. The free edge of the leafD is provided with a loop, 14, for holding a pen-holder, 15. To the opposite side of the base A there is attached a flexible cover, E, the inner side of which is provided with pockets 16 17, for containing paper and envelopes 18 19. The cover E is arranged to turn over on top of the leaf D, and is provided at its free edge with a loop, 9, which, when the cover is in its closed position, lies between two loops, 8, secured to the edge of the base. By passing a lead-pencil, as 20, through these three loops the coverE is securely held 1n its closed position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The base A beneath the leaf D is hollowed out, so as to form a shallow receptacle, F,within the base. The receptacle thus formed adds greatly to the holding capacity of the desk, and thus increases its utility.

The receptacle Fwill preferably be diviged 116 of these compartments will be arranged to receive a tablet, 21, of writing-paper, another to contain a supply of pens, as 22, and another, one or more sticks of sealingwax, as 23.

In order to aid in removing the table 21 from its compartment in case it should fit snugly therein, there may be provided a piece of ribbon, as 6, one end of which is secured to the bottom of the compartment,while its other or free end projects upward pastthe edge of the tablet, as shown. By drawing upon the free end of the ribbon 6 the edge of the tablet may be raised, so that the tablet can readily b lifted out of its compartment.

The leaf D will preferably be formed like the leaf of a photograph-album, so as to provide a pocket for receiving a card, as 24, containing a calendar or any other desired matter. The leaf will be provided on the under side with a sight-opening through which the matter on the card 24 will be exposed.

The manner of using thelap writing-desk or portfolio, thus constructed is as follows: When the desk is not in use the penwill be placed in the loop 14, and the leaf D turned down over the receptacle F, and the cover E will be folded over on top of the leaf D, and secured in that position by the pencil, as shown in Fig. 2. The lid 12 of the box 10, and the cover or covers of the inkstand G will also be closed. The entire contents of the desk will thus be inclosed and protected, and the desk can be handled without disturbing or spilling any of the contents. When the desk is to be used, the pencil 20 will be removed from the loops 8 9, and the cover E turned over to one side, as shown in Fig. 3. The pen, paper, and envelopes will then be exposed, and also the blotter d, upon which the paper can be laid during the operation of writing. If it is desired to use the tablet 21, wax 23, or a new pen, or to consult the calcudar, all that is necessary is to raise the leaf D, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

The cover E and the pockets 16 17 are made of leather, and the cover is preferably provided at the back of the pockets with a small amount of padding, 5, which serves to give the outside of the covera rounded and shapely appearance, and also to make it more flexible and yielding. The base A and the raised portion B will be covered with leather to correspond in appearance with the cover, and the inkstand G will preferably also be covered with leather, to match the other parts in appearance. The insides of the parts will be lined with any suitable material,to give them finished and attractive appearance.

portfolio having the rigid base A, provided with the receptacle F and raised portion B,the leaf D, hinged to one side of the base and arranged to cover said receptacle F, and the flexible cover E,hinged to the other side of the base and provided with one or more pockets, as 16 17, and arranged to fold over and be secured on top of said leaf D,but not on top of the raised portion B, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described lap writing-desk or portfolio having the rigid base A, provided with the receptacle F, and the raised portion B, having the box 10 and the seat for the inkstand, the leaf D, hinged to one side of the base and arranged to cover said receptacle F, but not said raised portion B, and the flexible cover E, hinged to one side of the base and provided with one or more pockets, as 16 17, and arranged to fold over and be secured on top of said leaf D, but not on top of said raised portion B, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described lap writing-desk or portfolio having the rigid base A, provided with the raised portion B and the receptacle F, the leaf D, hinged to one side of the base and provided with the loops 13,for holding the blotter don itsupper side and the pocket and sight-openin g for the sheet 24 on its under side, and arranged to cover the receptacle F, but not said raised portion B, and the cover E, hinged to one side of the base and provided with the pockets 16 17, and arranged to fold over and be secured on top of the leaf D, but not on top of said raised portion B, by the loops 8 9, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witroo IIGSSGS.

GUSTAVE HOOD.

Witnesses:

J. A. HOVEY, J AS. J. KENNEDY. 

